WARNING: Please read before continuing ▼
Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~30 Minutes
Last Updated: 12th October 2009
Applies to: Windows
Antivirus Pro 2010 is a variety of malware that pops up fake antvirus notifications attempting to coerce you into paying for a full version to remove these fake infections. Whilst its constant nagging is irritating, it is relatively mild as far as malware goes and is fairly simple to remove though it is often packaged with other more serious malware.
First off, you should download a copy of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The free version is sufficient to remove most infections, but if you can afford it I highly recommend buying the full version. It is an excellent program, and buying a license is an excellent way to support the developers.
As I said though, the free version is sufficient for removing Antivirus Pro 2010.
You may need to do this on another machine, as Antivirus Pro 2010 does redirect and block certain web pages. Once this is done, reboot the afflicted computer into “safe mode with networking”. You can do this by, as your computer is booting, hitting F-8. A menu will then appear for you to select the correct option from.
Once booted into safe mode log in (preferably as the Administrator user, though any user with administrator rights will be fine), Windows will ask you if you want to use system restore to restore your system to an earlier time, or continue working in safe mode. Click “yes”.
Once the computer has finished loading, run the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installer you downloaded earlier, and install it onto the computer. At the end of the installation, make sure both the “Run Malwarebyes Anti-Malware” and “Update Malwarebyes Anti-Malware” boxes are checked before clicking finish.
The Malwarebyes Anti-Malware main window will now open. Once it is ready, perform a quick scan. For some malware, a full scan will be required, but Antivirus Pro 2010 will be picked up by a quick scan. This will take around 10 minutes.
If Antivirus Pro 2010 is the only thing detected by the scan, then tell Malwarebyes Anti-Malware to remove it and reboot your machine. If other items are detected, I advise running a full scan, and seeking further information about the other malware on the system (Google is good place to start) before removing it.
Once you have removed it, I advise securing the computer against any further infections. Common ways this malware is installed include outdated versions of Internet Explorer, Flash, and Java, and by Security Updates via Windows Update not being installed, and outdated antivirus protection (Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is excellent, as is Avast! Home Edition).